Rigosertib's arresting story

Onconova Therapeutics Inc. believes the dual mechanism of its rigosertib against PLK1 and PI3K will give it an advantage over compounds that inhibit either mitosis or PI3K alone. The company also believes rigosertib will be safer than other mitotic inhibitors, including other PLK1 inhibitors in development.

Japanese in-licenser SymBio Pharmaceuticals Ltd. thinks the concept fits into its fast-moving specialty pharma model, and this month obtained rights to late-stage compound for Japan and Korea in exchange for undisclosed upfront payments, milestones and royalties.

Rigosertib is in the U.S. and European Phase III ONTIME trial for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), the Phase II/III ONTRAC trial in combination with gemcitabine to treat